Quick question. I'm *considering* a GeForceFX 5700 after these last set of reviews for my wife's PC.

Now, the thing is...I *need* to know if FSAA works in both "The Longest Journey" and "Grim Fandango". I know it does in the GeForce4 Ti series, and I know it does NOT in any ATI card....but I have no knowledge of the FX cards.

Originally posted by XanderF Now, the thing is...I *need* to know if FSAA works in both "The Longest Journey" and "Grim Fandango". I know it does in the GeForce4 Ti series, and I know it does NOT in any ATI card....but I have no knowledge of the FX cards.

Why do you need an FX5700 if you're playing games like TLJ and Grim Fandango? You should be able to run with 4xS AA on your Ti4600 and still get playable framerates. And IIRC Taz is correct in that Grim Fandango technically isn't 3D at all.

The backgrounds in Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey aren't 3d, no, but the character models are. Those games look crappy when played without FSAA because the backgrounds are all pre-rendered and anti-aliased looking as a result, but the character models are otherwise horribly jaggy.

They do, in fact, both have a '3d accelerated' mode.

As to the FX5700...well those AREN'T the games *I* play (or other people play when they come over), those are the games my *wife* plays. Her computer, so her needs come first.

An FX5700 would be a great way to maybe meet her needs (FSAA those two games) and mine (fairly speedy DX8/9 rendering). *Maybe*. Need to know if it works in those two games, though.

It seems unlikely to me, as I understand nVidia has moved away from the super-sampling FSAA the GeForce4 Ti series did that worked properly in these games and started using a method similar to what ATI uses - that doesn't work.

Originally posted by XanderF The backgrounds in Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey aren't 3d, no, but the character models are.

Uhm... no.

It's all pre-rendered, including the "character models". All the "3D Accelleration Option" does is filter the textures, which still needs to be done in a 2D invironment simulating 3D. There are no "Polygons in 3D space" drawn.

Graphics: Grim Fandango is the first LucasArts adventure game to include fully 3D rendered characters and backgrounds. Like many more recent titles, the in-game graphics transition is perfectly blended into the cut-scenes. This consistent use of graphics in both the cut scenes and gameplay keeps the Land of the Dead very cohesive. Direct3D is supported and produces slightly smoother textures and improves game performance. It should be noted that hardware 3D acceleration is unnecessary--the software rendered version of game already looks fantastic. Of course, Grim Fandango only looks that much better running in 3D accelerated mode.

"fully 3D rendered characters and backgrounds" = Pre-rendered

I used to have a more specific link that described the technology, but I can't find it anymore.

There seems to be some confusion on your end, but I'm not sure from where.

In any case, all the nVidia cards I've tried to date most certainly DO anti-alias the character models' edges, and the ATI cards do not.

I can post screenshots tonight if you are really having a problem following this.

(In any case, I have a hard time believing they would leave as much polygon clipping in the game as they did if it was really all just prerendered. Take a look at this screenshot from Gamesdomain, for example)

They mention at least twice that the game IS rendering 3d models in either software or 3d mode, depending on your choice.

The problem with ATI's anti-aliasing in these two games is that they are 16-bit color games. ATI's anti-aliasing algorith can not do ANYTHING with 16-bit games. What the Catalyst driver does in several cases (of popular 16-bit color games) is convert the 16-bit color calls into 32-bit color calls, which they can then anti-alias appropriately.

These two games they have not seen fit to 'fix', and, as this has been complained about for over a year now, it doesn't seem likely they ever will.

Isn't Grim Fandango DX7 ? Anyways... XanderF word of advice. Since you aren't sure if certain games you own will work on either of the cards you are suggested I would suggest you go to a brick and morter shop like Best Buy or better yet Circuit City (If you have one of these). CC has the best return policy out there and buy the card there. This way you can bring the card home test it out on your machine and if it doesn't do what you want just bring it back and exchange it for another card.

You'll spend more money but in the end you'll have a card that plays the games you are playing.

Grim Fandango is 3D rendered. What type of 3D is another story. Even some Neo-Geo games render 3D backgrounds while the Characters are 2D. A game can render 3D via software or hardware, but it might be rendering the 3D models differently then how you see it in todays games.